Always Forever

#4 We're friends! Why'd you kiss me?

Unseen Twists (II)

***

What was the need to send a detective? Poor guy was only walking me home yesterday. Ma caught him and asked all those questions.

Bong-soon is at Walnut Pie that morning, seated at a table and letting her thoughts wander. She heaves a sigh, recollecting the bizarre scene that unfolded before her house last night. Her mother saw her with a strange man who introduced himself as a detective, then wanted to know why her daughter required police protection.

"It was a mess. Surely Guk-doo doesn't need to go that far as to assign me an escort just because the streets are unsafe. Where's he? I hope work isn't hectic for him today."

Bong-soon looks at her phone and then down at her outfit. No messages from Hana or Guk-doo. Boring. She can picture how the day goes — half spent at Walnut Pie doing chores, and half at the new art gallery unpacking things. Gah. The sweatshirt and jeans — too cute an outfit to work in a bakery but hey a girl should dress up, regardless. I will grab my apron as usual and wait for Pa's orders for the day.

The bell jingles just as she rises from her seat, bringing in the first customer for the day. Guk-doo!

"Guk-doo, what brings you here?"

Bong-soon lets out a surprised yelp watching the man's tall figure step past the entrance of the Walnut Pie. He stands there next to the first row of tables, looking less formal — chino pants sweatshirt and a hoodie, bangs cascading down his forehead. Bong-soon hasn't seen this casual look on him past their school days.

"I came to see you." Guk-doo's smile is bright as usual but has a tinge of awkwardness to it. "I... took the day off. Do you think you could spend your day with me?"

"But you have the case. You never take a day off Guk-doo-ah."

"My fellow officers are patrolling the area. I'm using my much-needed break. But I won't force you into anything. Only if you're available."

Bong-soon plunges into a happiness-induced shock. This is... Guk-doo asking to spend the day together. This had never happened before.

"She's plenty available."

Mr Do says cheerily.

Bong-soon never hid a thing from her father. Or maybe she was just obvious. He knew she had a thing for Guk-doo. Maybe he knows she still has.

Pa, you think you're helping your girl bag her school crush but do you realise he's already taken? Bong-soon tries to convey this unspoken plea but Mr Do only pats her back even harder, gently shoving her towards Guk-doo.

"Go, before your mom comes! Go now. Enjoy your day out!"

Pa calling it a day out is a saving grace. Bong-soon doesn't know how she'd have taken it if he slipped and said date. The awkwardness she feels is gone once she hits the streets though. It could be because she genuinely enjoys Guk-doo's company no matter what. She's feeling a tad bit guilty. If Guk-doo has taken a day off amidst his hectic, neverending days as a cop, he should spend his day with his girlfriend.

But she's honoured he chose her. And yes, it's important to take out time for friends. She'll honour his decision and focus on making it a fun day out between friends.

The streets are lively. Just walking alongside Gukdoo puts Bong-soon in a jaunty mood. I must thank Pa for that push later. This is fun.

"Oh, Guk-doo! We're spending the entire day together! When was the last time we did that? When we were sixteen? And now we're twenty-six! How time flies."